This picture was taken at
Downey House "Opening Day" in November 2011.
Rayeann & Jeff Longwell with children Nathan,
Brittany, and Kim

2017 Update

Closing of homes -- Memories for the
Longwell family

September 2017 both homes were closed as a
Rental and are available for sale.

With the
loss of Rayeann in 2015, all children starting
their own lives and Jeff marring and moving to
Springfield Mo it was time to close
business and start our own new chapters.

The memories are so many. Downey House had
more to do with the community and giving back and
be part of something great.

I believe all
of us were touched by the homes.

Want to
thank everyone that said so many nice things about
the homes.

I (Jeff) especially want to
thank Rayeann and my kids for making this business
possible and a memory I will always remember.

Nathan
is currently in the Air Force, Kim
is in college at Springfield, MO and Brittany is
in college in Kansas City, MO.

2016 Update

Rayeann Longwell - In Loving Memory

In 2015 we lost our mother, partner
and creative mind to cancer. Rayeann
treated Downey and Farm House just like her own
home putting all of herself into the homes.
Rayeann's decoration style, furniture selection,
and amenities made it feel like "home away from
home".She is greatly missed
not only by her family but the whole community of
Plattsburg.

Jeff Longwell is currently
running the business with help of cleaners and
friends when needed.

Nathan and Kim
have graduated high school and has since moved on to
college.Brittany is in her Senior year of high
school and busy with her own job and life.s

Original Text

In the beginning we never had any intention of using
Downey House as a "business." It started out as simply a project: a home to fix up and sell. But once we really got involved in working on this home, neither one of us could bear to give it up - we became very attached to it but didn't have a clue what to do with it.

Then one day Jeff had an idea to turn it into a vacation rental, and the rest as they say, is history.

This was definitely a family affair: all five of us worked tirelessly on nights and weekends and even some days off here and there to be able to finish this project within about 4 months. Rayeann's parents (who live just 2 blocks away) also chipped in with painting, installing floors, providing meals, and whatever else needed to be done.

After years of neglect, the house had fallen into bankruptcy and it was in need of some serious tender, loving, care. Now, it hardly resembles its former state, and it is now ready to take its rightful place as a beautiful "painted lady" in a charming historic town.

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Since our opening in 2011 we have expanded with
a second home (The Farm House) in 2013 located next door
to Downey.